Umbrella, sunshade or the like

ABSTRACT

An umbrella or sunshade which can be conveniently opened and closed while held in one hand by means of an operating member cooperative between the stem and a runner slide to which the stretchers, pivoted to the ribs, are connected, a first half movement of the operating member to open the umbrella producing a relative axial movement between the runner slide and the stem to perform the main opening movement and the final half movement of the operating member producing a relatively short relative axial movement between the runner slide and the stem co-inciding with the required stronger force to flex the ribs and tension the cover. The movement of the operating member may be by swing of the thumb or a finger or fingers of the hand holding the umbrella in a direction transverse to the stem with the operating member pivoted to the runner slide and controlled in movement by a guide oblique to the stem or by a radius rod or with the operating member co-operating with the runner slide by cam action.

' United States Patent [191 Yuen [ UMBRELLA, SUNSHADE OR THE LIKE [76] Inventor: Yung Kwong Yuen, 320, Lily House, So Uk Estate, Kowloon, l-long Kong 22 Filed: Apr. 24, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 246,691

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 30, 1971 Great Britain 12438/71 Aug. 13, 1971 Great Britain 38,13 9/71 52 US. Cl. 135/24 [51] Int. Cl A45b 25/14 [58] Field of Search 135/20, 24, 25, 2 6, 22

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,454,059 11/1948 Heaney 135/24 Primary Examiner.l. Karl Bell Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Cushman, Cushman Darby &

[451 Mar. 12, 1974 [5 7] ABSTRACT An umbrella or sunshade which can be conveniently opened and closed while held in one hand by means of an operating member co-operative between the stem and a runner slide to which the stretchers, pivoted to the ribs, are connected, a first half movement of the operating member to open the umbrella producing a relative axial movement between the runner slide and the stem to perform the main opening movement and the final half movement of the operating member producing a relatively short relative axial movement between the runner'slide and the stem co-inciding with the required stronger force to flex the ribs and tension the cover. The movement of the operating member may be by swing of the thumb or a finger or fingers of the hand holding the umbrella in a direction transverse to the stem with the operating member pivoted to the runner slide and controlled in movement by a guide oblique to the stem or by a radius rod or with the operating member co-operating with the runner slide by cam action.

10 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures SHEET 3 (1F 4 wo) a u mu, wk SW8 m I lwl n#||. riw 1 Mm Q Q, QQ wm \%m\ %%N% aw PATENIEB MR 12 m4 UMBRELLA, SUNSHADE on THE LIKE This invention relates to unbrellas, sunshades or the like (hereinafter called umbrellas) and the object of the invention is to provide an umbrella which can be conveniently opened and closed by one hand, and especially one which can be opened and closed by the displacement of an operating member by the swing of the thumb or a finger or fingers of the hand holding the umbrella.

Another object of the invention is to provide such an umbrella suited for one-handed control that a higher mechanical advantage is provided in a final movement to open the umbrella when a stronger force is required to flex the ribs and tension the cover.

An umbrella according to the invention comprises a stern which carries a handle at one end and at the other end a notch pivotally supporting the ribs; a runner slide mounted on the stem and pivotally supporting stretchers which are pivoted to the ribs; and an operating member co-operative between the stem and the runner slide for movement by the swing of the thumb or a finger or fingers of the hand holding the umbrella to close the umbrella, the construction being such that in opening the umbrella, the first half movement of the operating member causes the umbrella to open a predetermined distance and the final half movement causes the umbrella to open a shorter distance co-inciding with the required stronger force to flex the ribs and tension the cover.

According to one embodiment, the operating member may be connected to the runner slide by way of a series of pivotally connected links or levers arranged in zig-zag or lazy tongs fashion and constrained to expand or contract in the direction of the stem to displace the runner slide when actuated by the operating member.

The links or levers may each have a hole at each end through which adjacent links or levers are pivoted together, a link or lever at one end of the series being pivoted by a cross-pin or rivet to one end of the slide the other end of which is connected to the runner, and another link or lever at the other end of'the series being pivotally connected to the stem or handle, one end of the operating member being pivoted to a link or lever at the latter end of the series and the said member being manually displaceable from the other end to turn the member to initiate extension or contraction of the series.

The umbrella may be opened by the thumb or finger of the hand gripping the umbrella pressing down the operating member, e.g., by pressure on a knob or button at the end of the said member, from a starting point. For closing the umbrella the thumb or finger may locate the knob or button at the end of the said member and press the operating member back to the starting point while again the fingers of the same hand are gripping the umbrella.

The operating member may be provided with a pin which co-operates with a guide track on the handle so that operation of the said member displaces and retains the runner slide in the desired manner.

According to another embodiment, one end of the operating member is secured to an appropriate link or lever of the series and the other end portion has a spring-loaded catch to engage with a locking member in the handle. The handle may be appropriately formed to permit the passage of the operating member for receiving the pressure of thumb or finger. For opening the umbrella, the operating member may be thumboperated while the handle is gripped by the fingers until the catch engages the locking member, and for closing the umbrella the handle can be turned by the hand in the clockwise direction through about and the thumb caused to release the catch and press the operating member back to its starting point, while the fingers are gripping the handle.

The stretchers may be pivoted to the ribs sufficiently near to the notch to permit the umbrella to be opened or closed by displacement of the operating member without the zig zag or lazy tongs means.

Auxiliary stretchers may be provided pivoted to an auxiliary runner which is slidable along the runer slide, the auxiliary stretchers being pivoted to the ribs further from the notch than the main stretchers and being moved by the ribs.

The operating member may be a lever which at one end is pivoted to the runner slide and at or near its other and operating end is guided for movement diagonally in relation to the axis of the stem in a straight or arcuate path for displacement of the runner slide axially of the stem.

The operating member may have a pin or pins guided for such diagonal movement by a slot or slots or a groove or grooves in an enlarged part of, or end attachment to, the handle or the stem.

The operating member may be in two parts, one being a link pivoted at one end to the runner slide and the other being pivoted to the other end of the link, such other part being guided for movement diagonally in relation to the axis of the stem to turn the link to displace the runner slide.-

Such guided part may be grooved or ribbed to engage a counterpart rib or groove in an enlarged part of, or end attachment to, the handle or the stern for guidance diagonally of the stem, or a pin and slot or groove connection may be provided between the guided part and the handle or the attachment.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the operating member is slidable transversely of, e.g., at right angles to, the axis of the stem to displace the runner slide axially of the stem. The stem or handle or a part fixed thereto may have a transverse bar along which the operating member is slidable, the said member having a diagonal or arcuate slot or slots to engage a pin or pins on the runner slide so that the sliding movement of the operating member along the bar displaces the runner slide axially of the stem cam fashion.

One or more spring catches may be provided for 10- cating the operating member in closed and/or open position.

The runner slide may be non-rotatably supported by the stem in any suitable manner. For example a pin connecting the operating member to the runner may run in one or more slots or grooves in the stem.

The diagonal movement may be in a straight line or on a suitable arc.

According to another embodiment of the invention the operating member is a' link which is pivoted at one end to the runner slide e.g., to a collar thereon, and at its other and operating end is pivoted to a radius rod connected to the handle or thestem or an attachment thereto so that arcuate movement of the pivotal connection between the member and the radius rod displaces the runner slide axially. Thrust by the thumb or finger may be applied to a knob or button at the pivotal connection.

The opening movement of the umbrella may tension a spring connected between the radius rod and the stem or handle.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of umbrella in the open position,

FIG. 2 is a section on the line A-A of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows an intermediate position, i.e., with the umbrella partially opened, and

FIG. 4 shows the umbrella in the closed position,

FIG. 5 shows a modified embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of another embodiment,

FIG. 7 shows another modified embodiment;

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a further modification,

FIG. 9 being a section on the line BB, FIG. 8,

FIG. 10 shows another modification and FIG. II shows yet a further modification, and

FIG. 12 shows a still further embodiment,

FIG. 13 illustrates a modification of FIG. 7,

FIG. 14 illustrates yet another modification.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the notch 1 is riveted to the end of stem 2. The ribs 3 are pivoted to the notch l and the stretchers 4 are pivoted to the ribs 3 and to the runner 5 all in conventional manner. The handle 6 is of a hollow box-like form and is secured by a rivet or screw to the stem 2. It is provided with a groove 7 and with two opposite longitudinal slots 8 and 9. It is provided with another two opposite slots 10 and 11 diagonally disposed relatively to the longitudinal slots. Interposed between a slide 14 secured to the runner and an operating member 17 is a series 12 of links or levers 13 each having three holes, one hole at the centre and one at each end to accommodate rivets or cross-pins which pivotally connect the links or levers together zig-zag fashion. The central holes accommodate rivets or cross-pins 15. The series of links or levers is accommodated inside the handle 6 and the rivets or cross-pins 15 work in the slots 8 and 9. The slide 14, which is accommodated in the groove 7, is at one end linked to a rivet or cross-pin 15a and is at the other end connected to runner 5 by a screw or rivet I6. The operating member 17 has a hole at each end, one hole accepting a rivet, screw or cross-pin l8 and the other a rivet, screw or cross-pin 18a which operates in the slot 10 respectively 11. A knob or button 19 is fixed to the outer end of the operating member for facilitating thumb-pressing. A tension spring 20 is at one end 20a fixed to the handle 6 and is at the other end connected to an appropriate link or lever 13 and is tensioned when the umbrella is opened. For opening the umbrella, the thumb will press down on the button 19 of the operating member 17 from the starting point while the fingers of the same hand are gripping the end part of the handle 6; and for closing the umbrella, the handle 6 is turned by the hand in a clockwise direction through about 180 degrees and thumb pressure applied to the button 19 of the operating member 17 to turn this member back to the starting point again while the fingers of the same hand are gripping the end part of the operation handle 6.

When the umbrella is closed (FIG. 4), the pin 18a is at one end of the slot 10(11), and the first half movement of the operating member 17 (to the position shown in FIG. 3) will displace the slide through a greater distance than the second half movement (FIG. 3 to FIG. 1).

The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is basically similar to that shown in FIG. 1 to 4 and the same reference numerals are used to represent like parts. A small tension spring 21 is connected at one end to the operating member l7a and at the other end to the knob or button 19a which has a lug 22 and is movable at the outer end portion of the operating members 17a. A locking member 23 which is riveted to the handle 6 is engageable by the lug 22 when the umbrella is fully opened. The series 12a is in this case formed in lazy-tongs fashion by intersecting links or levers 13a the central holes permitting them to be pivoted together by rivets or cross-pins, pair to pair. The series 12a can be replaced by a zig-zag series 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 or vice-versa.

The tension spring 20a which is at one end fixed to the operation handle 6a and the other end connected to an appropriate link or lever of the series is tensioned when the umbrella is opened. The handle is partly broken away in an appropriate position to permit the passage of the outer portion of the operating member 17a. For opening the umbrella, the button 19a of the'operating member 17a is pressed down by the thumb while the fingers grip the operation handle 6, until the catch 22 engages the locking member 23; and for closingthe umbrella the handle 6 is turned by the hand in a clockwise direction through about the thumb then displacing the button 19a to release the catch 22, and then pressing the button 19a back to the starting point, while the fingers are gripping the handle 6.

Referring to FIG. 6, the stem 32 carries a notch 31 at one end and a member 33 at the other end, the member 33 being attached to handle 34. The ribs 35 are pivoted to the notch 31 and the stretchers 47 are pivoted to the ribs and to a runner 36 which is fixed to an elongated slide 37. The stem 32 is provided with two longitudinal slots 38 diametrically opposite one another. An operating member in the form of a lever 39 is pivoted at one end to the runner slide by a cross pin 40 which works in the slots 38. A cross pin 41 at the other end of the operating members engages opposed diagonal slots 42 in an enlargement 43 of the member 33. The operating end of the operating lover 39 is provided with a knob 43a to facilitate thumb or finger operation of the lever while the handle is being gripped by the same hand. A bow-spring 44 is fitted in a groove 45 in the member 33 and is engageable by the cross-pin 41 to lock the umbrella in the closed position. A catch could also be provided for holding the umbrella in the opened position. The slots 42 could be replaced by a groove.

Auxiliary stretchers 46 are provided pivoted to the ribs 35 at a position further from the notch than the main stretchers 47 and pivoted to an auxiliary runner 48 which is slidable along the slide 37 and caused to move by the ribs 35.

FIG.6 shows the umbrella in open position. In the closed position, the pin 41 will be at the other end of the slot 42 and when operated to open the umbrella from this position, the first half movement will displace the runner slide 37 a predetermined distance and the second half movement a shorter distance.

FIG. 7 shows a modified embodiment in which the stem 52 has a cross pin 69 and the slide 57 is provided with diametrically opposite longitudinal slots 60 to accommodate the pin and prevent relative rotation between the slide and the stem. A collar 61 is securely fitted to the end of the slide 57 nearer the handle 53. The operating member 59 is a link at one end pivoted at 62 to the collar 61 and at the other end pivoted to a radius rod 63 which is pivoted at 631.1 to the stem or handle 53 attached thereto. A pin 64 is secured to the handle 53 to take the force of the tensioned cover and flexed ribs to retain the umbrella in the open position. A tension spring 65 is connected between the radius rod and the handle 53 to retain the umbrella in closed position.

If the operating lever 59 be in the dotted line position when the umbrella is closed, the first half movement of the lever will displace the slide 57 through a greater distance than the last half movement.

FIG. 8 and 9 show a modified arrangement in which the handle 73 comprises in a bar 76 of dovetail section and the operating member comprises a link 79a pivoted at one end to the runner slide and comprising at the other end an end part 77 to which the other end of the link is pivoted, the end part 77 having a dovetail section groove 78 whereby it snugly fits and can slide along the bar 76 of the handle 73. A spring catch 79 may be fitted to the handle 73 to lock the umbrella in closed position.

FIG. shows an alternative in which the rib 76a is carried by the end part 77a of the operating member and the counterpart groove 78a is formed in the bar of the member 76b, the link 79b corresponding to the link 79a in FIG. 8 and 9.

In FIG. 11 the operating member comprises a pivoted link 79c and an end part 80 to which it is pivoted, the said end part having a pin 81 to engage a slot or slots 82 in the bar of the member 83, attached to the stem 82.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 the operating member 99 is slidable along a transverse bar 96a integral with the handle member 93, the operating member having an arcuate arm or arms 94 provided with a slot 95 engaging a pin 100 on the slide 97. The pin 100 is displaceable along a slot 98 in the stem 102. The bar has a dovetail section groove 96 engaged by a counterpart rib on the operating member, or the rib and groove may be reversed, i.e., the rib provided on the bar, or other appropriate means provided for guiding the operating member for sliding movement transversely of, in the illustrated case at right angles to, the axis of the stem. 97a is a spring catch for the operating member and 98 is a stop therefor. In the closed position of the umbrella, the operating member will be in its upper position (not shown) with the pin 100 in the lower end of the slot 95 so that again the first half movement of such member will displace the slide 97 through a greater distance than the second half movement.

The runner slide may be made non-rotatable with reference to the stem in any other suitable manner, e.g., by making the cross section of the stem of square, hexagonal or other non-circu lar section and the interior wall of the runner slide of a mating form.

In all of the embodiments described that restricted diagonal or arcuate or crosswise movement of the operating end of the operating member which is obtainable by displacement of the thumb or a finger or fingers of the hand gripping the stem or handle of the umbrella is translated into an axial movement of the runner slide, and in the case of FIGS. 6 to 12, by virtue of the pivoting of the main stretchers to the ribs sufficiently near to the notch, this axial movement is sufficient to open or close the umbrella without the lazy tongs of FIGS. 1 to 5.

In the modification of FIG. 7 shown in FIG. 13, the runner slide 107 is extended, (viz. to the right in the drawing) beyond the collar 1 11 towards the end of the stem remote from the notch, to serve as a handgrip, in which case the operation of the operating member 109 displaces the stem 112. With the slide held by the hand, the thumb may push on the button 1 13 to open the umbrella and the umbrella then turned about the stem axis through about and the operative member returned to its starting point to close the umbrella again by thumb pressure on the button 113. Alternatively with the slide held by the hand the button may be pushed by the forefinger and middle finger of the hand to open the umbrella and the thumb used to locate the button and push it and therefore the operating member back to starting position to close the umbrella, it being then unnecessary to turn the umbrella about the stem axis as aforesaid.

The opening movement of the umbrella may cause a spring to be compressed which assists the closing of the umbrella. For example, in FIG. 14 which shows the notch end of anumbrella otherwise according to FIG. 6, a compression spring 114 is arranged between the runner 116 to which the stretchers 117 are pivoted and the runner 118 to which the auxiliary stretchers 126 are pivoted.

What we claim is:

1. An umbrella comprising a stem; a notch at one end of the stern; ribs pivotally connected to the notch; a runner slide mounted on the stem; stretchers pivotally supported by the runner slide and pivoted to the ribs; and an operating member connected between the stem and the runner slide to cause relative axial movement between the runner slide and the stem for opening or closing the umbrella, the operating member having an operating end engageable by the thumb or a finger of the hand holding the umbrella, means co-operating with the said operating end for constraining it for movement at least predominantly transversely of the axis of the stem, means whereby said transverse movement of the operating member produces relative axial movement between the runner slide and the stem; said constraining means defining a predetermined path of movement of said operating end whereby during a first part of its movement in the said path it causes the runner slide to be displaced relatively to the stern through a predetermined distance partially to open the umbrella and during an equal subsequent movement along the said path it produces a shorter relative movement between the runnerslide and the stem coinciding with the stronger force required to flex the ribs and tension the cover.

2. An umbrella according to claim 1 in which the runner slide is of elongated form and the operating member is directly pivoted to one end of said elongated runner slide and the stretchers are pivoted to the ribs sufficiently near to the notch to permit the umbrella to be opened or closed by the transverse movement of the operating end of the operating member.

3. An umbrella according to claim 2, comprising an auxiliary runner which is slidable along the runner slide and auxiliary stretchers pivoted at one end to the auxiliary runner and at the other end to the ribs further from the notch than the main stretchers, said auxiliary stretchers being displaceable by the ribs.

4. An umbrella according to claim 1, in which the constraining means provide a diagonal track for the operating end of the operating member, such that said operating end is movable along the track and in a direction towards the notch during its transverse movement for opening the umbrella.

5. An umbrella according to claim 1, in which the operating member comprises a link pivoted at one end to the runner slide and pivoted at its operating end to a slidable member, and said constraining means serve to guide said slidable member in movement diagonally in relation to the axis of the stem to turn the link to displace the runner slide.

6. An umbrella according to claim 1, in which the operating member is slidable transversely of the axis of the stem and is constructed with cam means to displace the runner slide axially of the stem.

7. An umbrella according to claim 1, in which the operating member is integral with a cam which cooperates with a pin on the runner slide and is displaceable substantially at right angles to the axis of the stem to cause the cam to displace the runner slide in the direction of said axis, and means for guiding the operating member in its said displacement.

8. An umbrella according to claim 7, said guide means being a guide bar and in which the operating member has at least one diagonal or arcuate slot to engage the pin on the runner slide so that sliding movement of the operating member along the guide bar displaces the runner slide axially of the stem.

9. An umbrella according to claim 1, in which the operating member is a link pivoted at one end to the runner slide and pivoted at its other end operating end to a radius rod connected to pivot about the stem, the radius rod forming the constraining means so that arcuate movement predominantly in a transverse direction of the pivotal connection between the operating member and the rod produces relative axial displacement between the runner slide and the stem.

10. An umbrella comprising a stem; a notch at one end of the stem; ribs pivotally connected to the notch; a runner slide mounted on the stem; stretchers pivotally supported by the runner slide and pivoted to the ribs; and an operating member connected between the stem and the runner slide to cause relative axial movement between the runner slide and the stem for opening or closing the umbrella, the operating member having an operating end outwards of the stem, means connecting the end of the operating member remote from the operating end to the runner slide; means co-operating with and constraining the said operating end for movement, predominantly transversely of the axis of the stem by the thumb or finger of the hand holding the umbrella, said operating end being constrained by said constraining means to move towards the said notch during opening of the umbrella and while moving transversely of the stem; said contraining means defining a predetermined path of movement for said operating end so that during a first part of its movement along the said path, said remote end is displaced through one distance partially to open the umbrella and during an equal subsequent movement of said operating end in said path it produces a shorter relative movement between the runner slide and the stem co-inciding with the required stronger force to flex the ribs and tension the cover. 

1. An umbrella comprising a stem; a notch at one end of the stem; ribs pivotally connected to the notch; a runner slide mounted on the stem; stretchers pivotally supported by the runner slide and pivoted to the ribs; and an operating member connected between the stem and the runner slide to cause relative axial movement between the runner slide and the stem for opening or closing the umbrella, the operating member having an operating end engageable by the thumb or a finger of the hand holding the umbrella, means co-operating with the said operating end for constraining it for movement at least predominantly transversely of the axis of the stem, means whereby said transverse movement of the operating member produces relative axial movement between the runner slide and the stem; said constraining means defining a predetermined path of movement of said operating end whereby during a first part of its movement in the said path it causes the runner slide to be displaced relatively to the stem through a predetermined distance partially to open the umbrella and during an equal subsequent movement along the said path it produces a shorter relative movement between the runner slide and the stem coinciding with the stronger force required to flex the ribs and tension the cover.
 2. An umbrella according to claim 1 in which the runner slide is of elongated form and the operating member is directly pivoted to one end of said elongated runner slide and the stretchers are pivoted to the ribs sufficiently near to the notch to permit the umbrella to be opened or closed by the transverse movement of the operating end of the operating member.
 3. An umbrella according to claim 2, comprising an auxiliary runner which is slidable along the runner slide and auxiliary stretchers pivoted at one end to the auxiliary runner and at the other end to the ribs further from the notch than the main stretchers, said auxiliary stretchers being displaceable by the ribs.
 4. An umbrella according to claim 1, in which the constraining means provide a diagonal track for the operating end of the operating member, such that said operating end is movable along the track and in a direction towards the notch during its transverse movement for opening the umbrella.
 5. An umbrella according to claim 1, in which the operating member comprises a link pivoted at one end to the runner slide and pivoted at its operating end to a slidable member, and said constraining means serve to guide said slidable member in movement diagonally in relation to the axis of the stem to turn the link to displace the runner slide.
 6. An umbrella according to claim 1, in which the operating member is slidable transversely of the axis of the stem and is constructed with cam means to displace the runner slide axially of the stem.
 7. An umbrella according to claim 1, in which the operating member is integral with a cam which co-operates with a pin on the runner slide and is displaceable substantially at right angles to the axis of the stem to cause the cam to displace the runner slide in the direction of said axis, and means for guiding the operating member in its said displacement.
 8. An umbrella according to claim 7, said guide means being a guide bar and in which the operating member has at least one diagonal or arcuate slot to engage the pin on the runner slide so that sliding movement of the operating member along the guide bar displaces the runner slide axially of the stem.
 9. An umbrella according to claim 1, in which the operating member is a link pivoted at one end to the runner slide and pivoted at its other end operating end to a radius rod connected to pivot about the stem, the radius rod forming the constraining means so that arcuate movement predominantly in a transverse direction of the pivotal connection between the operating member and the rod produces relative axial displacement between the runner slide and the stem.
 10. An umbrella comprising a stem; a notch at one end of the stem; ribs pivotally connected to the notch; a runner slide mounted on the stem; stretchers pivotally supported by the runner slide and pivoted to the ribs; and an operating member connected between the stem and the runner slide to cause relative axial movement between the runner slide and the stem for opening or closing the umbrella, the operating member having an operating end outwards of the stem, means connecting the end of the operating member remote from the operating end to the runner slide; means co-operating with and constraining the said operating end for movement, predominantly transversely of the axis of the stem by the thumb or finger of the hand holding the umbrella, said operating end being constrained by said constraining means to move towards the said notch during opening of the umbrella and while moving transversely of the stem; said contraining means defining a predetermined path of movement for said operating end so that during a first part of its movement along the said path, said remote end is displaced through one distance partially to open the umbrella and during an equal subsequent movement of said operating end in said path it produces a shorter relative movement between the runner slide and the stem co-inciding with the required stronger force to flex the ribs and tension the cover. 